Joyce Arline Saffel

Joyce Arline Neighbors Saffel was born on December 15, 1932 and died peacefully in her home in Plano, Texas on October 25, 2020.

Joyce was born in Harrisburg, Illinois to Med and Pearl Neighbors. Both of her parents are deceased. At the age of 7, her family relocated to Belleville, Illinois where she spent all of her school years. Joyce had 5 brothers, Donald, Francis Edward, Bobby Ray, Gary Lee and Earl Wayne.  All her brothers have preceded her in death.

Joyce accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and has been involved in Christian work for many years as a Sunday School teacher, AWANA worker, elder’s wife, and a high school and Jr. high youth worker.

Following high school, Joyce worked at the First National Bank in Belleville, first as a teller and then as an administrative secretary.  Joyce’s attention to detail and care for people served her well in this job and in all of her subsequent jobs later in life, including 10 years as a pre-school teacher and 10 years of work in the counseling office of Fellowship Bible Church North, now Chase Oaks Church.

At the age of 20, she met Dwight Owen Saffel at the First Baptist Church in Belleville.  Joyce was singing in the choir and Dwight was visiting the church, while in the Air Force, stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois.  Dwight saw her in the choir and decided she would make someone a good wife!  They were married in the same church on a blistering hot day, August 14, 1954.

Besides her husband Dwight, Joyce is also survived by four children and their spouses; Steven & Diana Saffel, Karen & Jonathan Schmidt, Susan & Shannon Soard and Thomas & Debbie Saffel.  She was preceded in death by one infant son, Douglas Edward Saffel.  Joyce also has 9 grandchildren by birth and 4 by marriage – Amanda Saffel, Danielle & Kevin Mitchell, Nathan & Catherine Schmidt, Sharalyn & Drew Goodman, Phillip & Kristen Schmidt, Alec Soard, Emma Soard, Hannah Soard and Blake Saffel.  She is also greatly loved by ten great grandchildren and many other nieces and nephews.

It was Joyce’s desire that God be glorified both in her life and in her death.  She was sure of her eternal hope in Christ her Savior, with whom she is rejoicing today.

Please note: The day of services has changed : A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Friday, November 20, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Chase Oaks Church, 281 Legacy Dr., Plano, Texas. Below is a link to watch the service via zoom.

Joyce will be laid to rest at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery at a private, family only service.

https://zoom.us/j/9082924263